The Problem
E-waste has been the ‘effluent of the affluent’, contaminating the water tables and soil of third world countries. The disparity between the developed and undeveloped world has made it more cost effective to ship CRT containing products to the third world where electric components are removed and CRTs are dumped in the environment. Cathode ray tubes contain toxic screen phosphors and, on average about 4lbs of lead.
The imminent implementation of the Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) seeks to end pollution from e-waste and ensure that end of life (EOL) CRTs are disposed of responsibly. The Producers will be made financially responsible and the recyclers will have to show that recycling targets are met. These targets are measured as a percentage, by weight, of the CRT waste stream. As the majority of the weight in a CRT containing product is in the CRT itself, recycling targets are only achievable if the CRT glass is recycled and not disposed of by way of landfill as in previous years.
WEEE compliant and responsible recycling using ‘best available technology’ with CRT Heaven Ltd.
Photo 'wire burning village' courtesy of Basel Action Network
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